Unsecured loan

An unsecured loan is a loan that depends entirely on the credit rating of the debtor who has not posted collateral. Unsecured loans can be term loans or revolving loans.[1] Because the loan is not backed by collateral posted by the debtor, the debtor will pay a higher interest rate which represents the risky nature of the loan.[2]

Unsecured Default

Unlike a secured loan where the lender can seize the posted collateral to recover their money if the debt is not repaid, an unsecured lender cannot. An unsecured lender can hire a collection agency to collect the payment or in certain cases, the lender can take the debtor to court to recover the money owed.[3] Collection agencies are very common with credit card debt.

Common Unsecured Loans

  • Student loans
  • Credit cards
  • Personal loans (such as those from a cash advance or payday lender)

See Also

References

  1. J.Black, N. Hashimzade, and G. Myles. (2009) "Unsecured Loan." [Online], Available: http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780199237043.001.0001/acref-9780199237043-e-3263?rskey=ht6uyj&result=3, 2009 [Aug 20, 2016]
  2. R. A. Brealey et al. Fundamentals of Corporate Finance. Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson, 2012, pp. 656.
  3. "A Dictionary of Economics" published Oxford University Press, 2013. Edited by John Black, Nigar Hashimzade, and Gareth Myles Online version accessed [August 17th, 2017].